Smoke-testing apparatus for pipes, drains, and the like



-April9, 1929. H. MACFARLANE 1,708,731

SXOKE TESTING APPARATUS FOR PIPES, BRAINS, AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 192'? 2 Shuts-Sheet l 22w); am wm A TTORNEY April 9, 1929. H. MACFARLANE SMOKE TESTING APPARATU S FOR PIPES, BRAINS, AND THE LIKE Filed May 20. 1827 2 Sheets-Shae A TTORNEYSI Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

'UNITED STATES HECTOR MACFARLANE, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

SMOKE-TESTING APPARATUS FOR PIPES, BRAINS, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed May 20, 1927, Serial No. 193,048, and in Great Britain June 8, 1926.

This invention relates to portable apparatus for testing pipes, drains or the like by the injection of smoke, said apparatus be ing of the type embodying a receptacle for a smoke-producing substance adapted for connection to a force pump of the hand-reciprocated type with a back-pressure or non-return valve between the two. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, light and more readily portable device of this nature occupying but little space for carrying and readily erected withthe pump and smoke receptacle n1 longitudinal alignment for use.

To this end, according to the present invention, a smoke-testing apparatus of the type referred to comprises a receptacle for the smoke-producing substance, a reciprocating hand pump with the discharge end of the 7 barrel hinge-jointed to the smoke-receptacle so that the two may be swung substantially parallel for packing and readily erected in alignment for use, means for effecting tight joint between them when so erected, and a. pressure-indicating device communicating with the discharge end of the smokereceptacle to show the existence of any pressure above atmospheric in the pipe, drain or the like under test.

The means for ensurin a tight joint may advantageously consist of a sliding member mounted on the outside of the pump barrel and carrying jaws adapted to be received in slots in a collar on the end of the smoke receptacle with sloping surfaces on the said collar which act-when the sliding member turned on the pump'barrel to produce a tight joint between the end of the smoke receptacle and the pump barrel.

The smoke receptacle, which may conveniently be of cylindrical, form, is preferably provided with a detachable liner -mounted within thereceptacle in such a manner that an air space is left between the liner and the wall of the receptacle to reduce the heating of the latter in use. Also to enable the receptacle to be held in the hand while the walls of thereceptacle, and I make no claimin this per se, nor do I claim generally in this connection the use of pressure-indicatmg devices such as inflatable bags or balloons.

An embodiment of my present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a view in elevation of an apparatus according to my present invention with the parts (viz pump barrel and the chamber for holding the substance for producing smoke etc.) in alignment and attached to gether in readiness for use.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevationon an enlarged scaleof the apparatus with the said parts folded.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the said chamber or receptacle forming part of said apparatus for holding therein the combustible substance for producing smoke or gas.

Referring to the accompanying draw- 1ngs:

A is the barrel of a reciprocatory pump of the known type; B being the rod and B the handle for operating the piston or plunger of said pump.

At the outlet end A of said pump there is fitted a. screw cap or cover C provided with an external flange C and wings C whereby said cap C can be screwed into the end of the pump barrel and the flange C forced tightly against the outside of said end of the barrel. This cap C is provided with a central passageway or barrel C through wh1ch passes the spindle of the spring-loaded valve D, which spindle at its outer end is provided with a head or enlargement D adapted to make a tight fit against the top of the barrel C and against which it is normally kept pressed by the action of the spring on the valve spindle D.

The exterior of the pump barrel A is provided with a fixed collar A"; and between this collar and the outlet end A there is mounted the sleeve E adapted to slide loosely along the barrel A within the limits between the collar A and the outlet end of the barrel.

This sleeve E carries thereon the flange or collar E which latter is provided with jaws E for example three jaws E spaced equidistant apart round the collar E F is a collar formed on or fixed to the ou letend A of the pump barrel A, and provided at one side with one part of the hinge G by which it is hingedly attached to the portions Hfor the jaws E to pass throu in Fig. 1.

.receptacle for holding therein the coin bustible substance for producing smoke or gas. On the end. of said receptacle X, adjoining said hinge part Gr, there is provided a collar H having three slots or cut-aw whereupon by giving the. sleeve E a par .1 turn said inwardly pro ecting jaws E will ride under the cam surface or sloping portions H of said collar H (alter the man-j I the bottom end of said lining is slit-longitulining J.

din-ally on theiopposite sidesthereot to "form tongues J which are pressed inwardly to preventthe smoke or gas producingsubstance or cartridge containing said substance from passing beyond this end of the K'is a tubular outer sheathing or casing oi? perforated metal. (of larger diameter than themain cylinder 1) and mounted concentrically With respect to and spaced apart l romsaid main cylinde I, so that this said outer sheathing K Will not become too hot to be'graspcd by the hand of the operator when the apparatus is in use.

At the outlet end 1 of this main chamber I there provided a dischar e pipe l. and nozzle L thereon; and this di. barge pipe IJ isprovided with a nipple lvjhaving a pasage N therethrough, over-which nipple lrl an inflatable and deflatable bladder or coiitamer of rubber or the like is secrred in an air-tight manner. l orgezample, the mouth 1 of a toy balloon (sucn as lHCllCtlttKl. by A,

Fig. 1) may bestretched over said nipple and thus secured thereon.

Upon any pressure (above normal ;.atmosphcric pressure) arising in the passage L (through the operation of the pump) such inflatable container Will be distended w and thus give a visible indication or signal of such pressure.

N is a removable plug for inserting in the passage-way l ot the nipple M when 1t is not desired or required for use to give the *signal or indicationas aforesaid as to pres sure.

The discharge'pipe L is shown provided with a downwardly projecting arm 0 fixed thereto to which is hinged a foot plate l? so that n use this hinged plate .P may be laid;flatuponftheground and the foot of the operator placed thereon 'while' operat-- ing the reciprocatory pump; but no claim is made to this device 0, P, per so, as such device is Well known in conjunction With ordinary reciprocatory pumps. such for example as are used for inflating pneumatic tires of road vehicles. L

In operation; after the smoke or/and gas producing substance has been-ignited in said chamber X and upon thepnmp being actuated. then, as and When pressure (above atmospheric pressure) arises in the pipe or drain etc/Which is being tested, thispressure will more or less inflate the heretofore deflated balloon Z attached on said nipple M, and thus will automatically and readily give visible indication that more or less pres sure has been produced in the pipe or drain etc. which is being tested.

Should suchinfiatable balloon Z be in juriouslyaflected by the smoke or/and gas which enters the interior thereof during inflation, then same eanbe discarded and replaced by a new balloon at a, very small cost.

1. Portable apparatus for smoke-testing pipes, drains, servers and the like comprising a hand-operatedpiston; pump, a receptacle for a smoke-producing substance .t the discharge end of the pump barrel, enga ing means slidably mounted on the pump barrel. for securing the latter and the smoke receptacle in air ,tight connection, a spring loaded non-return valve in the discharge end oithe pump opening' onthe discharge stroke of the latter to admit air to the smoke receptacle and closing by the spring reaction on the suction stroke of the pump to prevent entrance of smokeinto the latter, a tubular discharge extension of the smoke receptacle and a connection in said extension for the attachment of an indicator rying hooks adapted to engage flanges on the adjacent end oi the smoke receptacle, a detachable piece screwed into thedischarge end of the pump barrel and containing a.

- spring loaded nonreturn valve opening on the discharge stroke of the pump to admitair therefrom to the smoke receptacle and closing on the suction strokefot the pump to prevent entrance of smoke to the pump barrel, a tubular discharge'extens on of the. smoke receptacle, and a n pple opening 'IDlZO the,

lachable piece screwed into the discharge end oi? the pum barrel and containing a spring loaded 1 vturn valve opening on the dis charge siroke of the pump to admit air therefrom to the smoke container and closing on the suction stroke of the pump to prevent entrance of smoke to the pump barrel, a tubular cscharge extension on the smoke receptacle, a nipple opening into said tubular extension and closed by screw plug and inflatable balloon adapted to be. attached to said nipple after removal ot the plug so as to indicate to the operator the existence pressure higher tha atmospheric in L drain, sewer, or the like during ion of the apparatus.

)le apparatus for sinoketesting .cs, drains, sewers and the like comprisdope/rated piston pump provided a I irioal barrel, a cylindrical rele hinged to the discharge end of the pump barrel containing a removable tubular liner adapted for the reception of a cartri ge of a smoke producing substance, a

' sleeve on the pump barrel carrying adapted to engage flanges on the adjacen end of the smoke receptacle, a detachable piece screwed into the discharge end of the pump barrel and containing a spring loaded non-return valve opening on the orichare stroke of the pump admit is air theretrom to the smoke container and closi b ii i, a tubular discharge extension of the smoke receptacle, a nipple opening into said tubu ar extension for the attachment of a sure indicator, and a hinged foot plate ched to the smoke receptacle for holding A apparatus steady during operation.

Apparatus of the type referred to for -testing pipes, drains, or the like corng a receptacle for a smokeproducing ancc, a reciprocating hand pump prowith a cylindrical barrel with the discharge end of the barrel hinge-jointed to smokereceptacle so that the two may be 3 on the suction stroke of the pump -evene entrance of smoke to the pump swung substantially parallel for packing and readily erected in alignment for use, means for effecting a tight joint between them when so erected, and a pressure-indicating device communicating with the discharge end of the smoke-receptacle to show the existence of any pressure above atmospheric in the pipe, drain, or the like under test.

6. Apparatus of the type referred to for smoke-testing pipes, drains, or the like comprising a receptacle for a smoke-producing substance, a reciprocating hand pump provided with a cylindrical barrel with the discharge end of the barrel hinge-jointed to the smoke-receptacle so that the two may be swung substantially parallel for packing and readily erected in alignment for use, means for eti'ecting a tightjoint between them when so erected, and a pressure-indicating device communicating with the discharge end of the smoke-receptacle to show the existence of any pressure above atmospheric in the pipe, drain or the like under test.

7. Apparatus ot the type referred to for smoke-testing pipes, drains, or the like comprising a receptacle for a smoke-producing substance, reciprocating hand pump provided with a cylindrical barrel with the dischar e end of the barrel hinge-jointed to the smoke-receptacle so that the two may be swung substantially 'iarallel for packing and readily erected in alignment tor use, and means for effecting a tight joint between them when so erected such means comprising sliding member mounted on the outride of the pump barrel and carrying jaws adapted to bereceived in slots a collar on the end of the smoke receptacle and cam surfaces on the said collar on the end of the smoke receptacle which co-act with said jaws when the sliding member is turned on the pump barrel to produce a tight joint between the end of the smoke receptacle and the pump barrel.

'8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 and in which the smoke-receptacle is provided with a removable liner of such dimensions that an airspace is provided between the said liner and the wall ot the smoke-receptacle when the liner is in position.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which a perforated metal screen or sleeve is provided around and clear of the outside or" the smoke receptacle with an interposed air space enabling the receptacle to be held in the hand during operation.

HECTOR MAOFARLANE. 

